OCEAN CITY — The city launched a new weekly entertainment series July 8 at Sandcastle Park to “inject a shot of life into the Southend.”
The Department of Community Services, led by director Daniel Kelchner, will bring a variety of family fun to the Southend neighborhood through its new 34th Street Sandcastle Park Summer Entertainment Series.
Kelchner said the series grew from a partnership among the city, Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce and 34th Street business district in conjunction with plans for a major upgrade to the recreation facility on the 3400 block between West Avenue and Asbury Avenue.
“We’ve been putting together a project for revitalization of the playground and the whole project will break ground shortly after Labor Day,” Kelchner said.
While discussing plans for the park with the business groups, “we got to talking about launching an entertainment series that could start to be something to give back to the south end, inject life into the business district,” Kelchner said.
Early discussion involved starting the program next year, after the renovation is complete, but it was decided to move ahead this summer.
“Why wait? Let’s do it now and then over the winter, get our ducks in a row, cool entertainment lined up for next year,” Kelchner said. “We wanted to get it off the ground and are hoping to build it bigger and better every year.”
The series opened with a Mummers band strutting and a dance party, and will continue from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 19 with a new theme each week. In addition, every week will include face painters, balloon artists, strolling characters and a DJ, as well as the playground.
Kelchner said the majority of events will be staged on and around the basketball courts, where there are picnic tables and a stage centered around a pavilion. Upcoming themes will include Christmas in July, First Responder Night and Pirates and Mermaids.
“We’re hoping on First Responder Night that kids will come dressed as their favorite superheroes to join those from the city,” Kelchner said.
The 34th Street business district includes restaurants, ice cream parlors and miniature golf courses that all should benefit from increased activity in the area.
“We hear the south end doesn’t get the love,” Kelchner said. “We’re hoping to draw families to the area, to explore the area.”
Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the kickoff event was a success.
“The business community got together and approached the city and chamber about doing events. We had a committee and we worked together to put together a great season lineup,” she said.
New benches and picnic tables have been added, providing a place for participants to sit and eat goodies from neighboring businesses while taking in the festivities.
“Things like that really help neighborhood businesses because it becomes more part of the tourist DNA, to go to the event and patronize local businesses,” she said.
Playground renovation
The city is undertaking a complete renovation of the 34th Street recreational facility at a total cost of $7.5 million, offset by a $3.5 million Cape May County Open Space grant.
The new recreation facility will have three pickleball courts; two hardcourt tennis courts; four turf tennis courts; two basketball courts, including one that can be a dunk court for special needs athletes; a multipurpose turf court; a new building with bathrooms; a small office; storage space and a stage for small performances; and new playground equipment.
“The 34th Street renovation project is important for the city. It will be a destination playground with a stage to continue these entertainment series for many summers to come,” Kelchner said.
The city has solicited bids for the project and hopes to begin demolition of the existing facility in September and have the project completed by Memorial Day 2027.
Kelchner noted the city is undertaking the project in conjunction with the Cape May County Open Space Board.
“We have a fantastic partnership with the county, which is committed to making sure the facility is one of the best in the county and in the region,” he said.Uncle Bill’s Pancake House, with locations at 21st Street and Asbury Avenue, and 40th Street and West Avenue, is the presenting sponsor of the 34th Street Sandcastle Park Summer Entertainment Series. Additional sponsors include the Vanderslice Group; Goldcoast Sotheby’s International Realty; Randazzo’s Pizza; Broadley’s Plumbing, Heating and Air-Conditioning; Johnny B. Goode Ice Cream Parlor; and the Ocean City Free Public Library.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff